ISLAMABAD: In an event organised by the International Governance and Sustainability Institute (IG-SI), the need for urgent action to address the underutilisation of women human resources was emphasised.

During the programme held at Margalla College F-7, Founding Director and CEO of IG-SI Dr Sultan Azam Temuri spoke about the current state of gender equality in Pakistan, revealing alarming statistics from the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2023. Pakistan ranked 142nd out of 146 countries, with significant disparities in economic participation and educational attainment.

Women constitute 49.6pc of Pakistan’s population, yet the country ranks 142nd out of 146 in the Global Gender Gap Index 2023 by the World Economic Forum.

This discrepancy underscores significant challenges, particularly the lack of quality education and skill development among the youth, who make up 64pc of the population, known as the youth bulge.

He said that the event aimed to address crucial issues surrounding gender equality and women’s empowerment, with a focus on fostering positive change in Pakistan.

Dr Temuri emphasised Pakistan’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, affirmed by a unanimous National Assembly Resolution in 2016. He urged a concentrated effort on Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG-5), which focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering all women.

He stressed the importance of bridging the gender gap through enhanced education and increased economic participation. In his discourse, Dr Temuri shared both national and international examples to elucidate effective strategies for gender equality.

Notably, he discussed the gender strategy of police, which he has successfully implemented on both national and international levels. Key components of this strategy include increased female representation in police (promoting visibility through strategic role positioning) and capacity building (enhancing the skills and competencies of female police personnel).

Besides, a conducive living and working environment (ensuring supportive and safe environments for women in the police force) and female networking (facilitating networks for women within the police to foster support and growth).

Former UN Police Commissioner and Inspector General of Police Helena Iqbal Saeed shared her experiences and advised the young students to focus on their studies and maintain simplicity.

Former Turkish police officer and UN peacekeeper Esin Gulsen gave a virtual message to the students and inspired them with her own life story.

Principal of Margalla College F-7/4 Ayesha Kiani thanked the guest speakers and concluded the programme.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2024